Sheet collecting and folding mechanism for printing presses



H; M. BARBER SHEET COLLECTING AND FOLDING NEcHANIsu Fon PRINTING PREasEs Ja n. 21, 1941.`

Filed Feb. 2s. 1940 .s'sheeus-sheet 1 r. wir I- 11+ ATTORNEYS JUL 21.11941- H. M. BARBER 2,229,487

SHEET COLLECTING AND. FOLDING KECHANISM FOR PRINTING I RESSES Filed Feb. 28,. 1940 :s sheets-sheet 2 imi.:

S Wag.:

ATTORNEY;

H. M- BARBER SHEET COLLECTING AND FOLDING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES Filed Fei. 28. 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 www 1 @Illu l v Patented Jan. 21,1941k l i s snaar COLLECTING ANI) FOLDING Macu'- sNIsM Fon ram'rING rnassns A Howard M. Barber, Pawestuck, Conn., assigner to C. B. Cottrell Sons Company, Westerly, B. l.,

a corporation or Delaware l Application February 28, 1940, Serial No. 321,199

zo clam. The object of my invention isto provide a folder which, with slight changes, will be operable to handle either shorter or. longer sheets. The folder includes selectively operable means 5 for cutting shorter or longer sheets, in the presis accompanying I drawings, in

Figs. 1 and 1a represent a vertical longitudi` nal section through the folder, showing the operative elements arranged to cut, collect,` fold and deliver the longer sheets;

Fig. 2 represents'a similar view showing the operative elements arranged to cut, collect, fold and deliver the shorter'sheets:

Figs. 3 and 3 represent a vertical longitudi- U, nal section showing the gears and cams for operating the several elements; and

Fig. 4 represents a modified 'form of' impaling pin holder in which the set of impaling pins for engaging the longer sheets may be shifted to another position in the holder for engaging the shorter sheets.`

The upper pair of rotary cutters I, 2 of equal diameters are` shown as provided with two knives I and two cutting blocks l arranged, when operating, to partially sever two shorter sheets or groups of sheets from the web or` associated webs, each revolution oi' the said cutters. The lower pair of rotary cutters, i.v e. the cylvinders I, i are shown as' provided, the cylinder! 0 with two equally spaced knives l and the cylinder l with three equallyl spaced cutting blocks' I0 rying vaset of removable -impsling'pin's I l for' envahis' the leading ends of thelo'nger and an diacent set of removable impaling pins il for en'gs'ins the leading ends of the shorter sheets. 4Whenfthe longer sheets are. to be hanl died the impaling. pins H are removed as indi.

cated in Fig. 1 and when th'e shorter sheets are Lto be handled the impaling -pi'ns |il are removed,

as indicated in Fig. 2. f

The rock shafts i2 of the impaling pin holders l 'areprovided'with arms I3 carrying rollers .5 il arranged in position to be operated at-the .proper times by the pin releasing traveling cam- II. This cam i5 is carried on the gear i6 which is rotatably mounted en the shaft Il of thecylinder i and meshes with the gear i8 xedly mounted on the shalt I9 of the cylinder 5.

One of the cheek pieces 20 of eachpf the spring pressed knife blocks in lthe cylinder 5 coacts with the sets of impaling pins I0 on the cylinder 6,

f when longer sheets are to be handled.. This cylinder 5 is also provided with two equally spaced spring pressed blocks 2l for coaction with the' sets of impaling pins Ii on the cylinder 6 when shorter sheets are tobe handled.

The 'cylinder i is also shown as provided with three equally spaced tucking blades 22 'carried by spring pressed holders 22 whose rock shafts 2l are provided with armsl 25 which carry rollers'2l arranged in position to be operated by the traveling tucklng cam 21 on the-cam gear I6.

The cylinder l is shown aabeing provided with two equally spaced spring pressed folding jaws 2l arranged to coact with the tucking blades 22` carried by the cylinder 8 to fold the longer or shorter'sheets, asthe case may be. onto the cyl- 30 inder l. The movable elements of the folding jaws 2l are mounted on rock shafts 29 provided with arms ll whichcarry rollers 3| in position tovbe operated at the proper times .by the fixed camanu taxe une folded sheets from-the cyI- 35 .inder I and by the iixed camll to transfer the sheets to the delivery cylinder 34. i

'lhe delivery cylinder 34 is shown as provided wlththree sets of equallyA spacedspring'pressed pers Il are provided with arms l1 which carry rollersil* whichareengagedbyanxedcamu for causing the grippers to take'the folded sheets from thejaws 2i of the cylinder l and deliver them to predetermined point, such as an ena- 45 1 permit the unimpeded pesage ofthe short-k er sheets between the lower reels after the leadini ends of theshorter sheets have been :rippen sl. The rock shafts as of these grip- Q 4| between the upper rotary cutters I, 2 and from thence through the lower feed reels 42, 43-

to the lower rotary cutters, i. e. the vcylinders 5, 6.

'I'he means which I have shown for driving the several operating elements is constructed, arranged and operated asfollows:

A main driving gear 49 meshes with a gear 50 fast on the shaft I1 of the cylinder 6, which gear 50 is in turn meshed with a gear 5|| fast on the shaft I9 of the cylinder 5. This gear 5I is two-thirds the diameter of the gear 50 and-as the cylinder-5 is two-thirds'the diameter of the cylinder 5 these two cylinders will be driven at the same surface speed. A'gear 52 fast on the shaft I9 meshes with a gear 53 fast on the shaft 54 of the delivery cylinder 34. As this gear 52 is two-thirds the diameter of the gear 53 and as thegeylinders 5 and 34 are of equal diameters, the cylinder 5 will travel one and one-half revolutions every revolutlon of the delivery cylinder 34.

An intermediate gear 55 meshes with the gear 50 and also with a gear 56 fast on the shaft 51 of the upper rotary cutter 2. This gear 56 hasl the same number of teeth as the gear 5l so that the upper pair of cutters`make even revolutions gear 6I is moved into position to mesh with the gear 5I on the shaft I9 of the cylinder 5 as V shown in Figs. 1 and 3. When shorter sheets are to be cut the change gear is moved into position to mesh with the upper cutter gear 59 as shown Vin Fig. 2.

Inboth of these positions the change gear 5I meshes with a bevel gear 10 on' the shaft 1I of the upper web feed reel 40. 'Ihis shaft 1I is pro.-v vided with a gear 'I2 Vwhich meshes with a. gear 13 on the u shaft 14 of the other upper web feed .reel

- A Sutter V'ls may be used to slit the folded maar o uct on the delivery cylinder 34, if so desired.'V

'folded and delivered, the followingsteps areV In operation: v When longer sheets are to be cut, collected,

taken: the knives 3 are removed from the upper rotary cutters I, 2 and the sets of impaling-pins II are removed from their holders 9 on thecyl-A- the discs of the lower reel 42 are closed so that the web or associated webs may be fed by both pairs of reels to the lower rotary cutters, i. e. cylinders 5, 6. 'Ihe intermediate gear 55 need Vnot bev disconnected because the removal of the knives 3 from the upper pairof rotary cutters I, -i renders them inoperable to cut the web or associated webs passing therethrough. The several elements are then in position so that the longer sheets may be almost severed by the cut- CFI ters 1, collected on their impaling pins I 0 and folded olf by the tucking blades 22 to thefolding.

jaws 29 on the cylinder 5 to be transferred thereby to the cylinder 34 and by it to the delivery can'ler V39. In this arrangement of gearingf315 the cylinders 5, 8 and the upper and lower pairs of feed reels 40, 4I and 42, 43,are all driven atv the surface speed of the web or assocated'webs. g

When shorter sheets are to be cut, collected, folded and delivered, the following steps are taken: the knives 3 are placed in position in their upper pair of rotary cutters I, 2 and the change gear 5l is brought into position to mesh with-the rotary cutter gear 59. The sets of impaling pins II are inserted into their holders 9l and the sets of impaling Pins I0 are removed from the said lholders. The cut-away portions 4,4 in the discs of the reel 42 are brought into alinement so that after theleading ends of the' sheets almost severed by the upper pair of rotary cutters I, 2 are engaged by the impaling pins Il', the tail ends of the sheets may betorn from the web or webs and drawn freely between the reels 42, 43.V 'I'he knives 1 on the cylinder 5 need not be removed, as they will be inoperable becausethey will coact with their blocks 8 on the cylinder 6 in the spacesbetween the tail ends of preceding shorter sheets and the leading ends 0f the next succeeding shorter sheets. In this arrangement of gearing the upper and lower pairs of feed reels 40, 4I and 42, 43 and the upper pair of cutters I, 2 are run at the surface` speed of the web or associated webs and the cylinders 5, 6 at a slightly higher which pinch the sheets against the vsurface ofV the cylinder 6 as the impaling pins engage the sheets.

When it is desired to run a non-collected product of either longer or shorter sheets it is only necessary to disconnect the gear I8 from its shaft Ilan'd lock it against rotary movement by any well known or approved means, not shown herein, thus holding the impaling pin releasing cam I 5 and the tucking blade operating` cam 21 stationary.

In Fig. 4 a modiiied form of holder 9* is shown, sc that a common set of impaling pins, for example the impaling pins I0*, may be shiftedfor engaging either the longer or the shorter sheets.

It will be noted that a folder is provided which may be quickly and easily adapted to handle longer` or shorter sheets of predetermined engaging the; shorter or the longer sheetsiand a .jaws and the deliverygrippers. v

.longer sheets.

'determined r'eiiuon'tp. the" fielding `Maures and It is evident that various change's'-may. be Aresorted to'in the construction, form 4and ar'- rangement of the several partswithoutdepart- -.ing from the spirit and scope of -my invention,

"and vhence' I do not intend to be limited to the particularembodiment, herein ,shownl and 'described, but what I claim is: '1"' 1.'In combination, web forwarding means, se lectively operable means for cutting shorter or longer. sheets, selectively positioned means`for common delivery for either the shorter or the 2. In combination, web forwarding/means, two selectively operable pairs. of rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longer sheets, selectively positioned means for engaging the shorter or the longer sheets, and a common delivery for either the shorter or the longer sheets.

3. In combination,- web forwarding means, se-V lectively operable means for cutting shorter or longer sheets, selectively positioned means for engaging and collectingthe shorter or the longer sheets, and a common delivery for either the shorter or the longer sheets.

4. In combination', web forwarding means, two

Vselectively operable pairs of rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longen sheets, selectively positioned means for engaging and collecting the shorter or the longer sheets, and a common delivery for either the shorter or the longer sheets. 5'. In combination, web forwarding means, se#

lectively operable means for cutting shorteror longer sheets, selectively positioned means for engaging the 'shorter-or thelonger sheets, a common means for folding either the shorter or the longer sheets, and` a common delivery for` either the shorter or the longer sheets.

6. In combination, web'forwardingmeans, two selectively operable pairs of rotary cutters for cutting shorteror longer sheets, selectively posi- Cal.

. sheets.

lectively operable means `for cutting shorter or selectively operable pairs of rotary vcutters for eittingshorter or longer sheets.' seletiyelyiposif-M tioned means for` engaging and.co1lecting the shorter or the longer sheets, a common means and a commonV delivery for, either the shorter or the vlonger sheets.

9.111- combination, Vweb forwarding -imeans,-. upper and lower selectively operable pairs of rotary cutters, means for causing the upper palr^ to cut shorter sheets or the lower pair to cut longer sheets. selectively positioned vmeans for engagingthe shorter-oi' the longer sheets, and a common delivery'for either the shorter-or the longer sheets. 10. In'V combination, web forwarding' meansf ing cutting elements for partially severing shorter longer sheetaseiectively -positionedmeans for I engaging'and collecting the shorter or thelonger sheets, and a'.common delivery 'for -either the shorter or the longer sheets.

1 11.1In combination,` web forwarding means, upper and-.lower selectively 'operable pairsof rotary cutters, means for causing the upper pair tocut shorter. sheets or the'lower pair to cut longersheets, selectively'positioned means for engaging the shorter or the-longer sheets, -a ,common means for folding the shorter or the longer sheets, and a common delivery for either .the shorter or the longer sheets.

12. In combination, .web forwardingrneans, upper andi lower selectively operable. pairs of rotary cutters, 'means for causing the upper pair to cutshorter sheets or vthe lower pair to cut longer. sheets, selectively positioned means for4 engaging and collecting the "shorter or the longer sheets, a common means for folding the shorten orthe longer sheets, and a common delivery for either the shorter or the longer sheets.

13. In combination, web forwarding means, an upper pair vof rotary cutters provided with coactv 2 sheets, and a lower pair of rotary cuttersprovided with coacting cutting elements for partiallysevering longer sheets, the cuttngelements of; either pair of cutters being rendered operative according to the length of sheets to` be cut, one of the lower pair o f cutters being provided with sheet engaging devices for use with the shorter sheets and other sheet engaging devices for use with the longer sheets, either of said sheet engaging devof cutters being rendered operative according tof pair of' cutters being. provided with sheet engaglength ofsh'ts to be handled, said lower pair -ters being rendered operative according to the for folding either the shorter ox-.th'e longer sheets, `1gth-0f-sheet5mbemit, neef the lower pair vices being rendered operative according to length of sheets to be handled.

. 14. In combination, web forwarding means, an upper pair of rotarycutters provided with coacting cutting elements for partially severing shorter sheets, a lower pair of rotary cutters provided with coacting cutting elements for` partially severing longer sheets, thecutting elements of eitherpair the ing devices for use with the shorter sheets and other sheet engaging devices for use with the longer sheets, either of said sheet engaging devicesbeingrenderedoperative according to the 5 of cutters being also provided with coacting folding 4devices for use with either the longer or shorter sheets. A

15. In combination, web forwarding means, an upper pair ofrotary cutters provided with cosheets, a lower pair of rotary cutters providedvwith coactingelements fior Vpartially severing longer sheets, the cutting elements of either pair of cutvof cutters beingprovided with sheet engaging de-l vices for use with the shorter .sheets and other -sheet Vengaging devices for use withthe longerVv lower pair-oi cutters.

p 16. Inra folder, upper sheets, either of said sheet engaging devices being .6

and lower pairs of rotary upper and lower selectively operable'V pairs of web feedrsi-Upper and lower pairs of selectivelyv rotary cutters, means for causing-the upper pair operable rotary cutters for cutting shorter or `to .cut shorter sheets orthe lower'pair to cut longer sheets respectively, means for the 75 acting elements Aforp'artially severing shorter.m

lower pair of cutters at a predetermined speed, and change speed means for driving the web feedT ers at the surface speed of the lower pair of rotary cutters when longer sheets are to be cut or at a lower surface speed when shorter sheets are to be cut.

17. In a folder, upper and lower pairs of rotary web feeders, upper and lower pairs of selectively operable rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longer sheets respectively, means for driving the lower pair of cutters at a predetermined speed, and change speed means including a change gear for driving the web feeders at the surface speed of the lower pair of rotary cutters when longer sheets are to be cut or at a lower surface speed when shorter sheets are to be cut.

18. VIn a folder, upper and lower pairs of rotary web feeders, upper and lower pairs of selectively operable rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longer sheets respectively, driving means including upper and lower pairs of operatively connected feeder gears, upper and lower pairs of operatively.

connected rotary cutter gears, and a change gear operatively connected to the feeder gears and adapted to be operatively connected either to the upper pair of cutter gears or the lower pair of cutter-gears.

19. In a folder, two selectively operable pairs of rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longer sheets respectively, selectively positioned sheet engaging devices for collecting either the shorter or the longer sheets, means for folding the collected sheets, and separate traveling cams for operating the sheet collecting and folding devices.

20. -In a folder, two selectively operable pairs of rotary cutters for cutting shorter or longer sheets respectively, selectively positioned sheet engaging devices for collecting eitherthe shorter or the longer sheets, meansl for folding the collected sheets, separate traveling cams for operating the sheet collecting and folding devices, and means for stopping the movement of the said cams when uncollected sheets are to-be folded HOWARD M. BARBER. 

